# Yarn: Screen Time Journal — journal to unlock apps > AI-powered journaling app to reduce screen time and phone addiction. (iPhone/iPad app by Alcove Computer Company.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yarn-screen-time-journal/id6746372250 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Alcove Computer Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/1816502533) - Category: Productivity - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 5.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 18.1 · 30 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2025-07-29 - Data updated: 2026-08-20 - Monetization: freemium - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yarn-screen-time-journal/id6746372250/reviews.md ## What is Yarn? Meet Yarn, a screen time intervention app that makes you journal to unlock addictive apps. You can't break a habit you don't understand. Every time you reach for your phone, there's an emotion driving it - boredom, anxiety, avoidance. Yarn untangles the emotional threads that cause us to reach for our phone. It was an answer to the question "What if AI could end Phone Addiction?" An AI that would meet us in these moments, with nothing but the perfect journaling prompt at the perfect time. JOURNAL TO UNLOCK Pause before scrolling by writing a quick journal entry to unlock your distracting apps. JOURNAL WITH YARN Get thoughtful AI prompts that help you reflect, notice your surroundings, and dig deeper into what matters. SET BEDTIME BOUNDARIES Schedule your apps to lock at bedtime, helping you wind down without the temptation to scroll late into the night. ENTER FOCUS SESSIONS Completely block distracting apps while you work. VOICE OR TEXT Journal however feels natural—type out your thoughts or use voice recordings when writing feels like too much. Note that usage of Yarn is subject to the following agreements: Terms of Use: https://www.alcovecomputer.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.alcovecomputer.com/privacy Apple's Standard End-User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ## Key features - Journal to unlock distracting apps - AI-powered journaling prompts - Set bedtime app boundaries - Focus sessions to block apps - Voice or text journaling - Understand emotional triggers for phone use ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Yarn Pro Monthly 2026 | $12.99 | per month | | Yarn Pro Annual 2026 | $59.99 | per year | | Yarn Pro Annual | $59.99 | per year | | Yarn Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month | ## Recent user reviews (3 of 3) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yarn-screen-time-journal/id6746372250/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Simple, easy-to-use screen time app BETTER THAN Opal, one sec, Brick *2026-03-15* genuinely one of the most intuitive screen time apps i’ve used. i feel like this is the only app that has really sticked + i love the fact i have to write something down before i doomscroll - much less annoying than other pop ups since i have something to do. the team behind this is really awesome, i would definitely try this out! ### 5/5 — Really creative way to reduce screen time *2026-01-07* I’ve been enjoying the dopamine breaks this app has enabled for me! And combining it with another goal to journal more… even better. Some small glitches here and there, but expected with a new app with a small team. **Developer response:** thank you!! hopefully the bugs have been caught; we’ve shipped a bunch of updates in the last month!! ### 5/5 — The best screen time app *2025-11-22* I have been using this app for a month and I love it. I think of it as making a trade between your short term self and long term self. I like that you choose how long your screen time will be before each session because it helps it feel like less of an arbitrary cut off since you just chose it a few minutes ago. The app serves both the purpose of regulating screen time and incentivizing journaling—a win-win! Pinned notes were recently added so you can even work on long term writing projects with your Yarn time. **Developer response:** ❤️❤️❤️ ## Frequently asked questions about Yarn ### How does Yarn help with phone addiction? Yarn prompts you to journal before unlocking distracting apps, helping you understand the emotions driving your usage. This pause and reflection can break the habit loop associated with phone addiction. ### What kind of journaling prompts does Yarn offer? Yarn provides thoughtful AI-generated prompts designed to encourage reflection on your surroundings, emotions, and deeper motivations for reaching for your phone. ### Can I use Yarn on multiple devices? Yarn is supported on iPhone and iPad, allowing you to manage your screen time across these Apple devices. ### What are the subscription options for Yarn Pro? Yarn Pro offers monthly and annual plans, with prices starting at $9.99 per month or $59.99 per year. Both plans include a 7-day free trial. ### How often is Yarn updated? The latest version of Yarn is 1.6.2, and it was last updated on March 25, 2026. This indicates a commitment to ongoing development and improvements. ### Is Yarn suitable for younger users? Yarn has an age rating of 12+, making it appropriate for teenagers and older users looking to manage their digital habits. ### Can I journal using voice with Yarn? Yes, Yarn supports both voice recordings and text entries, allowing you to journal in the way that feels most comfortable and natural for you. ### Does Yarn have ads? No, Yarn does not contain advertisements, ensuring an uninterrupted journaling and focus experience for users. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.6.2 — 2026-03-25 minor bug fixes and upkeep! ### 1.6.1 — 2026-02-23 "hey yarn, schedule a meditation for 30 mins" yarn can now schedule your focus sessions! ### 1.6.0 — 2026-02-17 huge update! schedule focus sessions. plan your time ahead. make time for what matters. yarn stays in the loop. ### 1.5.0 — 2026-02-04 minor bug fixes and improvements ! ### 1.4.1 — 2026-01-29 major bug fixed! unlock apps button wasn't appearing when using journal prompts we've also introduced chat prompts and added your blocking schedule to yarn's context ## Apps similar to Yarn | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Habit Tracker - RippleEffect](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/habit-tracker-rippleeffect/id1629530240) | 5.0 (3) | Free | Productivity | | [Etc App Notes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/etc-app-notes/id1412150180) | 4.5 (51) | Free | Productivity | | [Dopamine detox](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dopamine-detox/id6502594874) | 4.7 (6) | Free | Productivity | | [StoryBits: AI Storytelling](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storybits-ai-storytelling/id6751760682) | 5.0 (3) | Free | Productivity | | [AI Transcribe: Voice to Text ⋆](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ai-transcribe-voice-to-text/id6746181193) | 5.0 (6) | Free | Productivity | | [AI Lawyer - Legal Assistant](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ai-lawyer-legal-assistant/id6751007790) | 3.0 (4) | Free | Productivity | --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-20.*